Amonte chasing another record at 72

Frank Amonte Sr. will try once again on Friday to win his way into the record books when the 72-year-old jockey rides I'm Outspoken at Suffolk Downs in his quest to become the first person in his 70s to ride a winner at a Thoroughbred track.

It's been nearly three years since Amonte became the oldest jockey to win a race when he rode Eva's Boy to victory in August 2005 at Suffolk. He passed Charles Town regular Willie Clark, who was 69 when he retired in 1991.

Amonte's last victory came Sept. 4, 2005, aboard Cuff the Quote at the Northampton Fair - one day shy of his 70th birthday. Missing that milestone win as a septuagenarian has fueled him through his last 74 attempts.

"Did you ever get a tooth pulled?" Amonte said this week, remarking on how tough it has been to get another win. "Only one guy, [trainer] Osvaldo Rivera, is giving me a chance right now. He knows I'm fit and willing to do what I have to do."

Amonte has had just 14 mounts in the last 18 months. He says he plans to ride at Monmouth Park next week for trainers Juan Serey and his son, Mike Amonte.

As a guy who has moonlighted as a bus driver and trained to be an optician, Amonte knows there are safer jobs out there, let alone retirement.

"The horses have always been the main thing," he said. "Nobody tells me to quit, but a lot of people tell me to be careful. I drive my car as careful as can be, but I've still had auto accidents. I haven't had problems with the horses, though."